Bay of Plenty legend Hika Reid has been diagnosed with leukaemia, on the eve of the province's big match against the Lions in Rotorua tonight.
Reid, 47, was given the diagnosis last week and has been admitted to Waikato Hospital to begin treatment.
The news shocked Bay players as theyprepared for the Lions game.
"I realise that a lot of people will be talking about it, but I'd rather the focus be on tomorrow's game," said Reid, who played 85 games for the Bay from 1978-87.
The bustling hooker played nine tests for the All Blacks, scoring a famous try against Australia in 1980.
Reid faces about five weeks' treatment and Bay of Plenty team manager Craig Morris said the players were reeling when they heard the news.
"All the guys know him and our thoughts are certainly with him," Morris said, adding the players were planning to visit him next week.
Reid has been the Bay's development officer since 2003 and coached the union's development team. He was to have travelled to Fiji with the New Zealand Maoris as assistant coach for yesterday's match in Suva.
The news is sure to give the Bay of Plenty team an extra spur tonight. Reid played in the last Bay-Lions game in 1983, won 34-16 by the tourists and, as Morris put it, "hopefully we can take a nice memento for the game to him next week ... hopefully a win".
